Characterization of a previously unidentified viral protein in porcine circovirus type 2-infected cells and its role in virus-induced apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in pigs. In this study, transcription and translation of a novel viral gene (termed ORF3 here) was detected during productive infection of PCV2 in PK15 cells. The results of infection with ORF3-deficient PCV2 by site-directed mutagenesis indicated that the protein is not essential for viral replication. To investigate the underlying mechanism of cell death caused by replication of PCV2, apoptosis characterized by chromosomal condensation and fragmentation, formation of apoptotic bodies, and significant increase in hypodiploids were detected in infected cells. We further demonstrated that PCV2-induced apoptosis required the activation of caspase-8 but not caspase-9. The activation of caspas

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1143760 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature